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Do Rogue' Seals Exist? Implications For Seal Conservation in The UK

The document discusses research on "rogue" seals that prey on salmon in UK rivers, potentially threatening salmon populations, hatcheries, and fisheries. Researchers used photo identification and DNA analysis of fecal samples to study seal patterns and determine whether all seals in problem areas were actually causing issues. The results showed that only a small number of individual "rogue" seals seemed to eat high volumes of salmon, rather than the general seal population, suggesting control measures could potentially target specific problematic seals.

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49 views3 pages

Do Rogue' Seals Exist? Implications For Seal Conservation in The UK

The document discusses research on "rogue" seals that prey on salmon in UK rivers, potentially threatening salmon populations, hatcheries, and fisheries. Researchers used photo identification and DNA analysis of fecal samples to study seal patterns and determine whether all seals in problem areas were actually causing issues. The results showed that only a small number of individual "rogue" seals seemed to eat high volumes of salmon, rather than the general seal population, suggesting control measures could potentially target specific problematic seals.

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Do ‘rogue’ seals exist?

Implications
for seal conservation in the UK
Introduction
Researchers in the UK are studying the impact of problem mammal’s vs humans

and the competition of a source of food, primarily salmon. Management of the

predator-pray systems are protected by law. The attempt to reach a compromise

between the seals and salmon effect hatchery’s, eco-tourism and revenues.

The specific controversy lays in the decision of using invasive means or

translocation for control. Researchers would need to determine when or even if these

methods should be considered. Prior to the Moray Firth Seal Management Plan, ‘rogue’

seals were killed if found around fisheries and rivers. Scientists collected data to

determine if all seals in the areas of concern were actually a ‘problem’ or just in the

wrong place at the wrong time. Once the data is analyzed they can determine the cost

of options, economically, ecologically and safety of the predator-pray populations.

Using techniques such as photo-identification researchers would be able to track

patterns and how often the seals would occupy an area. DNA would also be examined

by collecting fecal samples around these areas.

Methods
The survey areas were determined by the highest volume collection of salmon

stocks in a specific habitat protected by a conservation directive. The river surveys

targeted seals of two species appearing at the mouth of the river over a 3-month period

patterns of seals rather than just a number of seals seen.


Seals were also photographed using Canon EOS 20D Digital cameras with a

600mm and 1.4 converter or a Canon digital video camcorder. Photos were graded from

1 being best and 4 being worst, for specific individual identification of the seals. Only 1

photo of each seal was noted each day.

Digestive tract samples were acquired within 24 hrs of death of a seal which had

been shot by the Salmon hatcheries. The UK Conservation of Seals Act 1970 to protect

hatcheries allowed for these actions. The samples were collected in separate bags kept

at a controlled temperature of -20 deg. C until later thawed to examine. Stomach

contents were also kept at -70 deg. C until the time of DNA extraction. The DNA

samples were compared using the qPCR technique.

Results

Both species of seals were observed in all 3 rivers with a high visitation period

between November and February. The overall captures were very low but allowed for

calculations. Less than 16 mammals were found to be in the rivers with less than or

equal to 1.1% in the Moray Firth.

DNA analysis revealed a higher number of salmon and trout at the rivers than at

the coastal sites.

Discussion
The scientific data suggests that there are individual ‘rogue’ seals who would eat

salmon at a high volume rather than the general population. Control of selective

invasive means is dependent on defining and identifying these seals.

(M. Graham, 2011)


Bibliography
M. Graham, R. H. (2011). Do 'rogue' seals exist? Implications for seal conservation in the UK.
Animal Conservation , 587-598.

Works Cited
M. Graham, R. H. (2011). Do 'rogue' seals exist? Implications for seal conservation in the UK.
Animal Conservation , 587-598.

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